The 9th annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival takes place later this month, and the four-day event will include more than your typical dance burlesque fare. From Thursday, September 14 through Sunday, September 17, attendees will have opportunities to check out some of the industry’s premier performers at venues across town.

This year’s festivities include an opening champagne gala honoring Rita Alexander, the Champagne Girl; Mondo Burlesque at Harrah’s; Bad Girls of Burlesque at the House of Blues; The Queen of Burlesque at the Civic Theatre; It’s Burlesque showcase at the House of Blues; pool party at the Drifter Motel (topless optional!); and a closing party at the Catahoula Hotel. For a full schedule of events, click here.

Tickets for the events can be purchased individually and range from $22 to $57.

Rick Delaup, the organizer of the Festival, spoke with OffBeat last year about the festival’s origins as well as burlesque’s place in New Orleans history.